Twenty-two Royal Scots of the 7th/9th (Highlanders) Battalion were Killed in the Action to Liberate Flushing on November 2-3, 1944 . Their names, their faces, their personalities always Remembered. This Memorial Plaque was unveiled on the 1st November 2014 to Commemorate Six Men who were Killed in the Action to Liberate Middelburg when Buffalo ‘Snipe’ was blown up by a mine during the advance by Johnston Force to Liberate Middelburg on the 6th November 1944. Johnston Force consisted of ‘A’ Company 7th/9th Royal Scots, 11th Machine Gun Platoon 7th Manchester Regiment and ‘A’ Squadron 11th Royal Tank Regiment who transported Johnston Force in Buffalos – a 140 men in total – commanded by Major Hugh Johnston, 7th/9th Royal Scots. It is a Memorial that will give pleasure to children, their joy and laughter will always surround it, and no finer tribute could be paid to the memory of our six gallant Comrades who died to bring peace and freedom to the lovely City of Middelburg. Its location is at Toorenvliedt Park, formerly the Headquarters of the General commanding Fortress Walcheren, and is a very fine World War II Memorial site. Joe Brown.
Very nice memorial Joe. And good to see the kids playing. I'm sure there are more stuffy types who would think it disrespectful, but it appears you don't mind. Personally, I like to see children playing in and around previous battlefields. It gives some meaning to what happened. It's worth mentioning that a similar incident occurred elsewhere on Walcheren. On 8 Nov 1944, after the surrender, a rigged navy shell blew up a Buffalo at Serooskerke. 20 were killed in that one incident, mainly Royal Marines from 48 Commando. There is a plaque outside Serooskerke church commemorating those who died. Cheers, Shaun
Shaun, Good to hear from you. So sorry and sad to hear about the loss of so many fine young men of the Royal Marine Commandos. I didn't know . . . If Peace and Freedom has a meaning, it is well portrayed by the happiness of children playing, their laughter and joy. What is not acceptable is graffiti, and hope the Memorial will not be defaced in this way. with regards, Joe
Agree about the graffiti. But I don't think there is any need to worry as the Dutch are very good at looking after monuments. I've visited dozens since I've lived here and can't recall any being in really bad shape. The only one thing I have seen is when I visited the Norfolks' memorial near Overloon this summer the little statue of a Tommy was missing from the top. Besides, I like that part of the country and I'll be back there often (I'm currently writing a guide to Dutch WWII Battlefields). I'll keep an eye on it for you. Shaun
The memorial and plaque (Traces of War website):- 48 RM Commando W.G. Bean D. Fogg R.M. Gibbs J.E. Law A.J. Mee H. Peace F. Potter C.C. Savage E. Shrigley C. Skelland P.G. Titmuss C.J. Ware N.F. Wall I don't have a photo for W.H. England (a South African attached to 48 RM Commando), nor K.W. Stephens (Plymouth Naval Memorial. All other men buried at Bergen-op-Zoon War Cemetery, except N.F. Wall, buried at Bergen-op-Zoon Canadian War Cemetery 79 Assault Squadron, RE A. Bold J.W. Coley J. Hyland C.W. Pearce C.E. Town All men buried at Bergen-op-Zoon War Cemetery
good day jo brown.ww2 veteran.yesterday 12:22pm.re:flushing and middelburgur fallen.comrades remembered.may they rest in peace,thank you for posting,regards bernard85
